Editorial: Davis misses the point

Mike Davis needs a lesson on timing and empathy. The Ward 3 Councillor totally missed the point when he asked for an up-front costing of the room to be donated by the Town for use by the 137 employees affected by the planned closure of Curwood Packaging. This was an in-kind donation by the Town that would be used as a Job Adjustment Action Centre. There the employees-- many who have been with Curwood for more than 30 years and have never had another job-- would get a myriad of services including job search assistance and counseling. While certainly Davis's intention was to look after the taxpayers' dollars-- and he can't be faulted for that-- this was neither the time nor the situation to do it. His action, instead, is perceived as unthinking and uncaring about the plight of 137 families in our community. As Mayor Rick Bonnette says, "their lives have been turned upside down." To donate a barely-used arena room that generates little cash for the Town so that 137 people and their families can put their lives back in order is a small price to pay. It's something no taxpayer should begrudge. Taxpayers who do, need to remember that these are 137 individuals and their families, who will not be spending as many dollars as usual in local food stores, restaurants or other retail businesses. They won't be donating to local causes nor will they have the time to volunteer for minor sports groups or activities in this community. "This is the Town coming forward looking after the little guy right here in our community who needs some help and that's why we came forward with this," said Bonnette. Davis failed to grasp that. We wonder why.